Health Care in Japan
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75)
Mon 2008/05/26 13:20
"Kenko Shindan" [健康診断[けんこうしんだん]] is the word for "Health Checkup" and I've been having them since my times at Amazon. Many companies in Japan provide annual health checkups for employees. Depending on what your company decides to pay, some of the checkups range from being really useless to really thorough.
I recently had mine and this article talks about whats involved but just before I continue - this health checkup is nothing to do with the other form of health care.
The stuff you see here is a pack of instructions and containers that I received before the day of the checkup.
I recently had mine and this article talks about whats involved but just before I continue - this health checkup is nothing to do with the other form of health care.
The stuff you see here is a pack of instructions and containers that I received before the day of the checkup.
In previous health checkups, a urine sample was taken at the facility but this time they asked for me to prepare the sample and take it along.
They provide a little plastic container for you to pee in and a syringe thingy for you to transfer the pee to a container which they ask you to keep in your refrigerator...
Check the illustration of the fountain boy.
They provide a little plastic container for you to pee in and a syringe thingy for you to transfer the pee to a container which they ask you to keep in your refrigerator...
Check the illustration of the fountain boy.
And here is the fun part - they want a sample of poo too. Here they show you how to poo depending on whether you have a Japanese or western style toilet. They ask you to stick some tissue as shown in the diagram so that your friend does not slide into the water.
And this is how you should extract the poo - does it not look like a peanut? Next time you eat peanuts please think of this.
And the image on the right shows the catch of the day - does it not look like curry, peanut butter, nutella, laksa paste?
Was the first time in life that I poked about with my own poo. Poo at arms length is not pleasant and the vomiting noises quickly follow. Luckily I didn't have anything spicy the night before or the experience would have been much more interesting.
And the image on the right shows the catch of the day - does it not look like curry, peanut butter, nutella, laksa paste?
Was the first time in life that I poked about with my own poo. Poo at arms length is not pleasant and the vomiting noises quickly follow. Luckily I didn't have anything spicy the night before or the experience would have been much more interesting.
They provide two containers as they want poo taken from different days. They ask that you keep these in the refrigerator too. Just make sure your other family members dont unconsciously mistake your poo for peanut butter and spread it on their toast.
And this their mascot Mr Poo egging you on as you fight with the whiff of poo embracing your soul.
There are various words for poo in Japanese. The proper term is "Ben" or "Dai Ben" and colloquial words are "Unko" or "Unchi."
When you are served something bad at a restaurant, you can say "Unko Kusai!" or "Smells like shit!"
There are various words for poo in Japanese. The proper term is "Ben" or "Dai Ben" and colloquial words are "Unko" or "Unchi."
When you are served something bad at a restaurant, you can say "Unko Kusai!" or "Smells like shit!"
Bag O poo n peee packed and ready to head out.
On the way to the hospital. A man suddenly looks up as I pass and wonders what the smell is.
At the hospital. I hand in my shit and am asked to get changed for the morning tests.
Am given a locker and some sort of pajamas to change into. Seeing a whole floor of folk walking around in these felt like watching The Island (which is a great film).
They provide a locker within the locker too for those carrying around stuff that you dont want others to have or see - like this for example.
A sheet showing what I had checked.
Was my first time to try Barium and was an interesting experience. Barium is a soft silvery metallic alkaline earth metal and is used for all sorts of applications including poisoning rats and making bricks.
I was asked to drink a glass of Barium where I was then stuck on a rotating bed which I had to grab onto with my arms to prevent me falling off. At the same time, a camera is taking images of the Barium inside my stomach which you can see at the Japanese wikipedia entry for Barium. Apparently, the Japanese have a high rate of stomach/intestinal cancer which is why these Barium stomach scans are common for those who are older than 35.
- Height/Weight
- Eye sight
- Listening
- Blood Pressure
- Various blood tests
- Electrocardiogram
- Chest x-ray
- Barium stomach scan
- 1x1 time with a doctor
Was my first time to try Barium and was an interesting experience. Barium is a soft silvery metallic alkaline earth metal and is used for all sorts of applications including poisoning rats and making bricks.
I was asked to drink a glass of Barium where I was then stuck on a rotating bed which I had to grab onto with my arms to prevent me falling off. At the same time, a camera is taking images of the Barium inside my stomach which you can see at the Japanese wikipedia entry for Barium. Apparently, the Japanese have a high rate of stomach/intestinal cancer which is why these Barium stomach scans are common for those who are older than 35.
After drinking the Barium, a huge amount of gas is produced in the stomach which I was told to keep inside - one burp would mean another glass of Barium. Just the thought of that was enough motivation for me to hold in the burps.
After the scans, I went to the changing room and started to burp out loud like I've never burped before^^;
The Barium starts to solidify and if not expelled from the body soon, it gets harder and in worst cases has to be cut open. The nurse gives me some medicine to give me the runs which forces the Barium out with the regular poo. For three days I had completely white poo! And its heavy too - needed a few flushes to get rid of it. It kinda resembles plaster cast.
This is the waiting room where the nurse directed me to drink the medicine.
After the scans, I went to the changing room and started to burp out loud like I've never burped before^^;
The Barium starts to solidify and if not expelled from the body soon, it gets harder and in worst cases has to be cut open. The nurse gives me some medicine to give me the runs which forces the Barium out with the regular poo. For three days I had completely white poo! And its heavy too - needed a few flushes to get rid of it. It kinda resembles plaster cast.
This is the waiting room where the nurse directed me to drink the medicine.
Just over an hour later and all the tests are done. What you may not know is that any x-ray/scan that a hospital takes can be purchased and usually cost about 600 yen each. Will be going back for my copies soon.
The results of the health checkup will be ready in a few weeks which will outline whether I have any major problems and what I should be looking out for.
A checkup like this is going to cost about 20,000 yen.
When was the last time you had a thorough health checkup? (not the ones you perform on your dolphin)
Are checkups provided by schools or workplaces in your region? Never had anything of this sort when I was in the UK or US.
The results of the health checkup will be ready in a few weeks which will outline whether I have any major problems and what I should be looking out for.
A checkup like this is going to cost about 20,000 yen.
When was the last time you had a thorough health checkup? (not the ones you perform on your dolphin)
Are checkups provided by schools or workplaces in your region? Never had anything of this sort when I was in the UK or US.
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Asst. Manager at a *******
I can understand why they need urine samples (too see if your system contains any kind of THC) but poo samples? That's odd and that's never required around here as far as i know.
(ID #197232) Posted on 2008/05/26 13:34
student
To check if the person has any gastrointestinal parasites,
(ID #197268) Posted on 2008/05/26 14:40
Most common reason (in the States) I order these for my patients is to check for blood. This would make sense also given Japan's high rate of GI cancers.
(ID #197689) Posted on 2008/05/27 05:12
They are not trying to find any trace of drugs use in the poo, I guess they are looking for blood trace in poo which can be a clue for an intestinal cancer...or piles.
(ID #197723) Posted on 2008/05/27 06:16
JR. College Student
The schools do some basic hearing and sight tests at an early age. Besides that any check-ups with a doctor are all your own doing. I'm still covered under my parents so all I have to do is make an appointment and show up with 10 bucks(copay).
(ID #197235) Posted on 2008/05/26 13:37
I don't think I would get a sample of my poo for any kind of test, they'll have to grab it after I walk out of the bathroom. Plaster Poo, why does that sound funny to me?
(ID #197237) Posted on 2008/05/26 13:40
university film student
...Wow. Poo a and barium tests? >< Your checkup sounds so much more thorough than the ones here. Danny, now that you're self-employed, did you pay for this on your own?
(ID #197241) Posted on 2008/05/26 13:42
Online Shop
This reminds me of my days in elementary school in Korea. Each year, they would ask me to bring some sample of poo to see if you are free from parasites and such. One year, I could not take a dump for the life of me(I usually took a dump every 3-4 days back in that time) and my family were renting a part of the house that time. The owner of the house had little kids so I sneaked in and somehow managed to grab their poos with some wooden chopstick and submitted as my own -_- I was afraid at the time if I would get caught but I guess as long as you have healthy poo, they can't tell whether it's from different people or not ^^; That picture of Danny smiling on the mirror above makes me think it's like a stiff smile. Like Danny is actually scared before the check up lol.
(ID #197244) Posted on 2008/05/26 13:48
"Smelly" Recruit
i had my last year...it was a checkup before I got into the army. And it was about the same as yours. Eye check, ear check, and of cos, dolphin check =D by a male doctor..T_T and oh, cool wallet u have. wan the pass too
(ID #197249) Posted on 2008/05/26 13:58
Software Quality Engineer
I am amazed at how thorough this test is! I have had thorough check-ups many times here in the states and none of them have included checking my peanut-- Oh, I mean poo or stomach. I do have yearly check-ups that are provided by my employer, but my company is considered to be *very* generous with benefits; it's quite uncommon. There are no doctors present during these-- only nurses and 'technicians' of some sort. Health examinations are really expensive here in the U.S.; people with no insurance probably can't afford them. I had much better and more affordable care when I was living in England.
(ID #197252) Posted on 2008/05/26 14:00
The last time I had a thorough check up was one year ago. I had a 2 week hospital stay because of complications from an Appendectomy. I had every test under sun done, which couldn't explain my very abnormal heart rate and difficulty breathing. Checkups in the states are usually up to the responsibility of the individual. Schools and Employers only send you to the doctor if they want a drug test. BTW that self pic in the mirror had me laughing for a bit. I dunno why but it strikes me funny.
(ID #197260) Posted on 2008/05/26 14:19
Engineering research
I believe I'll strongly object to any 'peanut butter' in the fridge... *retch*
(ID #197261) Posted on 2008/05/26 14:20
People shouldn't put peanut butter in the fridge anyway...
(ID #197396) Posted on 2008/05/26 19:57
I did exactly the same health check up two times...Barium is terrible (and the first time I thought they were talking about Valium!!!)...It's really painful few hours after. And the hospital where I did it, looks very like a SF movie one...Felt in 2001 Space Odissey!...(but still it hurt...)
(ID #197264) Posted on 2008/05/26 14:27
They get poo samples in Brazil too, but only if there's some suspicion of vermins or something. It's been a long time since my last check-up... more than a year... and last time I didn't even go back to the doctor for him to analyze my blood sample. Only thing I know is that my cholesterol level was a little high. But no such things are nice kits such as that one Danny... when they ask for poo and piss samples, they give you 2 small lidded cups and you have to deal with them. Gah.
(ID #197265) Posted on 2008/05/26 14:28
this barium thing sounds worse every time i read about it, blegh -_-;;
(ID #197267) Posted on 2008/05/26 14:32
Barium isn't that bad. Now, radioactive iodine...
(ID #197740) Posted on 2008/05/27 06:59
White poo?
(ID #197276) Posted on 2008/05/26 15:01
i didn't experienced the barium during my health check (at least 2 times) but other great stuff like rectal fingering by an old doctor who I expect was a former sailor looking at his hand @___@ surely the most horrible moment of my life. The great point is during both check there was really cute nurse all arround ^^
(ID #197278) Posted on 2008/05/26 15:09
Adn they were all laughing at you as you had the old doc's finger stuck up your arse :P
(ID #197397) Posted on 2008/05/26 19:59
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
oh my gawd white poo? o_o; and the poo sample experience Oh my, I don't envy you XP! Funny mug shot in the mirror LOL
(ID #197285) Posted on 2008/05/26 15:14
>>Next time you eat peanuts please think of this. AAAAAAAAAUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
(ID #197296) Posted on 2008/05/26 15:28
Part human, part student, 100% loser
LOL at first glance I thought the article would be concerning dolphins... But I was wrong, instead it was about urine, poo and other stuff that dolphins wouldn't enjoy... I find the barium thing interesting, I've never heard of it before... LOL white poo, were you alarmed when you first saw it Danny? If I didn't know about barium effects I'd probably go haywire, spmething like this... " Aaargh! I thought only your hair go white when you get old?! Why is my poo white too?!" Yea... My imagination is wild...
(ID #197300) Posted on 2008/05/26 15:32
Here in germany they don't make regular or irregular checkups. The only thing you have to do is when you are starting your job career (i.e. when you are done with school and start an apprenticeship) you'll have to do a checkup with your doctor who makes a few tests with you to see if everything is fine with you and if you can do any job there is or if you don'tA at the company where I work they will do an own checkup too (they have a fully outfitted hospital there. There is almost nothing they can't do there) with testing your ears with those headphones (I always get good results), giving away urine samples for drug testing, eye sight, height, body weight and stamina (make a few situps and the doctor checks your heart). The last time I had to make a check was during my medical examination for my 9 months of military service where they decide what kind of jobs you can do there. Pretty standart stuff: stamina, weight, body height, pulse, eye sight, ears, urine sample (funny thing, I didn't have to do it. Said I can't pee on command so the nice lady who overlooked that part of the test said that she'll drop it). And then there is a psychological test where they test your basic knowledge in math and physiks as well as your ability to react, your ability to remember things and your sense of logic. And if you have som kind of disease or something like that they'll take that into account too. If you would volunteer as a soldier you'll have much more tests though. In the end they said that I can do almost anything (degree of fitness 2), except for pioneer service, tank driver (both because of my knnes) and paratrooper (because of my glasses, I suppose).
(ID #197327) Posted on 2008/05/26 16:05
What a coincidence! I missed my scheduled check-up a fortnight ago, and my re-booked one is for this coming Wednesday. They usually consist of a small blood test to see if you have any of the right colour, shove a tube in your mouth and breathe through it to check that your not a vampire, and a blood pressure check to see if the nurses cleavage gives the desired effect. If you can do all this and walk out under your own power, they can confirm that you are human and are capable of earning mega-profit for your company.
(ID #197363) Posted on 2008/05/26 18:09
"I hand in my shit" rofl....help....can't breath....rofl
(ID #197366) Posted on 2008/05/26 18:17
All your shit are belong to us :P
(ID #197546) Posted on 2008/05/27 00:53
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
thank you danny. i'll never look at peanut butter the same way again. ever.
(ID #197370) Posted on 2008/05/26 18:25
Why is that? "eats his peanut butter sandwich"
(ID #197389) Posted on 2008/05/26 19:49
tymmur (Registered on 2008/01/20 18:43)
no wonder they have problems with stomach/intestinal cancer. They drink barium. Honestly I would reject drinking anything like that. It's possible to get the same images based on stuff that will not turn solid and they aren't toxic either. The problem is that they are radioactive instead. The question is how many will be sick based on the tests compared to how many diseases the tests will find compared to how many cases of diseases less invasive tests will miss.
(ID #197378) Posted on 2008/05/26 19:15
o_O white poo !! I just had my health check last month in Shinjuku. I didn't have the Barium check though.
(ID #197380) Posted on 2008/05/26 19:24
Illustrator & Designer
Danny, Danny, Danny... First, I'm going to hope that your next "Week In Tokyo" photos don't play as an addendum to this article. Second, yes I agree, The Island is a great film and was hugely underrated when it was first released at the cinemas. Third, barium sounds nasty. I guess this is where they might have got the term, "sh!++ing bricks"! Fourth, I hope your test results all goes well for you. Fifth, thanks for sharing.
(ID #197383) Posted on 2008/05/26 19:40
Ahaha! Been a while you didn't talk about pee-poo and you return back to it is quite the fanfare! No thank you for the poo jokes. I'm glad I have eaten super light breakfast already and that I tend to browse pages without being alarmed easily. Otherwise I don't know what would have happened to me, the bed, the floor, etc., etc. what is that crazy picture of you facing the mirror? *grins in turn* And yes, you forgot to mention that Barium is a radioactive periodical element used for detecting and tracing cancers. So how does it tste? Metallic? *laughs*
(ID #197402) Posted on 2008/05/26 20:11
very interesting article...wat bout dental care? hah
(ID #197404) Posted on 2008/05/26 20:14
Btw, poo winter/snow mode. Good for X-Mas and New Year. Bwahaha. (I hope I'll never live this)
(ID #197406) Posted on 2008/05/26 20:16
there definately wasnt any need of explaining what shit looks like thats just too much explanation DANNY :S
(ID #197415) Posted on 2008/05/26 20:36
nanu (Registered on 2007/12/28 21:40)
Poo is universal. I don't mind your talking about it. White poo? You can be a bird for a day. Awesome! The thing that limits me from getting healthcare is my own values. In a world where everything gives you cancer, it's low priority unless my budget increases.
(ID #197442) Posted on 2008/05/26 21:50
You can be a bird for three days rather than one, according to Danny. ^^;
(ID #197453) Posted on 2008/05/26 22:26
sh schary
(ID #197419) Posted on 2008/05/26 20:48
Is it just me or does the toilets looks like pram? Haven't gone to any health checkup for years, though I'm only 21 this year, gonna have to wait at least 9 more years before going on a regular.
(ID #197428) Posted on 2008/05/26 21:06
Just found out on wiki that it is barium sulfate you are referring to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barium_sulfate If it was pure Barium, it would just blow up in your stomach since its super reactive o.O
(ID #197430) Posted on 2008/05/26 21:09
Dyslexic Social Studies student, struggling gundam modeler and gamer
LOLZ! This is the best combination of fun and information ever! Danny looks very nervous in his pic! Wahaha!
(ID #197467) Posted on 2008/05/26 22:43
IT, Programmer, ...
We just had checkups in school, but I haven't had any at work. Although they do exist at larger companies. My father has them sometimes.
(ID #197471) Posted on 2008/05/26 22:47
(University)Student and Mcdonalds Grease monkey.
I've had a barium test before. It was while I was being tested to see if I had chrons. It was strange and chalky tasting... with a little sharp lemon taste too. Then they gave me something fizzy afterwards to wash it down. They didnt put me on a rotating table though.... British hospitals are so cheap lol Sounds like you get really extensive health check ups with Amazon. I can't imagine many British companies do that...
(ID #197472) Posted on 2008/05/26 22:51
Here, when in school youths have a general health checkup every 2 years. Once you start working it depends on the type of work you do and your age. For standard office work with computers you usually have an eye test every 5 years. Always been pretty useless for me since I know my eyes are bad and I wear glasses (want to get corrective surgery though, tired of wearing glasses). Though once you reach 30 it is a good idea to have a regular checkup, as it's too late to shut the stable door when horse is gone... or is that too late to flush when the poo is gone?
(ID #197473) Posted on 2008/05/26 22:52
Pokemon Trainer
I don't think that I would drink Barium, that does not sound safe !!
(ID #197487) Posted on 2008/05/26 23:13
I think this is the oddest entry I've ever read at DannyChoo. Seriously.
(ID #197495) Posted on 2008/05/26 23:27
Student and full-time otaku
Hope I never have to use the Barium, that sounded nasty. Thankfully my health is quite alright, but you can get checked up easily here if you want to and companies probably provide some too. But in case you want to arrange one yourself just out of security/curiosity, you might have trouble getting past your GP, who doesn't tend to send you to a hospital untill your arm is dangling off....
(ID #197497) Posted on 2008/05/26 23:31
McMaster Engineering Student Fall 08
LOL! Love how you literally used the term "handing in your shit" XD!
(ID #197521) Posted on 2008/05/27 00:09
littledoll (Registered on 2008/03/21 01:48)
I'm lucky enough to live somewhere where health care is free and don't have to worry about it, so I totally take advantage of it and get a physical every year. Despite only being 20, you never know what can happen and prevention is the best medicine there is imho! But I've never had that high-pitched sound test or poo test or barium, but then again I'm young so probably I don't need them. But I combine my physical with my girl-specific tests so it's still super unpleasant. X_X
(ID #197524) Posted on 2008/05/27 00:12
Lowly worker
Heatlh care in my area is pretty expensive. ;^^ Oh, but it was cool to see Powered Natsumi in that first pic! ^_^
(ID #197542) Posted on 2008/05/27 00:44
Geek Liaison